STORM CLASSIFICATIONS Thunderstorms Types of thunderstorms depends on

STORM CLASSIFICATIONS

Thunderstorms Types of thunderstorms depends on the instability and relative wind conditions at different layers of the atmosphere (“wind shear”). Single cell – little or no wind shear Squall line (multicell line) – lines of multicell storms frequently with a gust front. Supercell – powerful updrafts, high wind speeds, can produce tornadoes.

Tornado Classification by wind speed and severity of damage Fujita Scale F 0 40 -72 mph some damage to chimneys; breaks branches off trees; damages sign boards. F 1 73 -112 mph F 2 112 -157 mph F 3 158 -206 mph F 4 207 - 260 mph F 5 261 -318 mph houses lifted off foundations; automobile size F 6 319 -379 mph hard to determine due to the mess produced by a missiles fly through the air; steel reinforced concrete structures badly damaged. F 4 or F 5; missiles (cars) would do serious secondary damage.

Hurricane Classification five categories based on current maximum wind speed. Saffir-Simpson Scale Category 1 – winds 74 -95 mph Category 2 – winds 96 -110 mph Category 3 – winds 111 -130 mph Category 4 – winds 131 -155 mph Category 5 – winds over 155 mph (these are VERY rare)

Moojita Scale Everybody knows about the Fujita Scale which measures the power of tornados. But nobody really knows what all those types of twisters do to COWS. So here is the MOOJITA Scale. . . M 0 Tornado - Cows in an open field are spun around parallel to the wind flow and become mildly annoyed. M 1 Tornado - Cows are tipped over and can't get up. M 2 Tornado - Cows begin rolling with the wind. M 3 Tornado - Cows tumble and bounce. M 4 Tornado - Cows are AIRBORN. M 5 Tornado - S T E A K ! ! !